British Gas opens support fund: up to £2000 for bill payments.

According to The Sun: The well-known energy supplier is reviving its grant program, which provides up to £2000 to households in financial hardship.

The British Gas energy support fund will open its doors again on October 1.

AlamyBritish Gas has reopened its energy support program.

This program is designed for customers who have difficulty paying their energy bills.

The fund is available to existing British Gas customers who have energy debt or are at risk of energy poverty.

To receive help, customers must have energy debts ranging from £50 to £2000 on a prepayment meter or from £250 to £2000 on a credit account.

Those who meet the criteria can apply from 9:00 on Wednesday, October 1, via the British Gas Energy Trust website.

Customers must have undergone financial advice within the last six months or use the online budgeting tool as part of their application.

This may involve support from charities such as Citizens Advice or StepChange.

Customers who received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust in the last 12 months cannot reapply and must not have any outstanding debt on their account to be eligible for additional support.

Last year, the British Gas fund helped 6000 customers.

“As winter approaches, we understand that rising household bills are a real issue for many people across the UK. We are committed to providing £140 million, the largest voluntary energy support package in the country, to help prevent hardship.”

Who can receive help?

The fund provides support to households suffering from energy debt and has been operational since 2021.

The program is available to current British Gas customers, who can receive up to £2000 this winter.

To meet the criteria, several conditions must be fulfilled:

• Customers with a prepayment meter must have debt ranging from £50 to £2000;
• Credit customers - from £250 to £2000;
• Must reside in England, Scotland, or Wales;
• Face the risk of energy poverty;
• Receive financial advice within the last six months or utilize the online budgeting tool during the application;
• Have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust in the last 12 months;
• Only current energy bills in the customer's name at their residence are eligible – applications for closed accounts are not accepted if the customer has moved or changed suppliers.

What other suppliers offer

Many other suppliers also offer support to their customers, so it's always worth checking with them if needed.

Grants may vary depending on the supplier, and the exact amount of assistance depends on your financial circumstances.

Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy has the Octopus Energy Assist fund, which supports customers in need. This includes financial support and home visits to discuss ways to reduce energy consumption.

Scottish Power

Scottish Power provides a hardship assistance fund that supports customers experiencing economic difficulties.

To receive support from the fund, customers must qualify for certain benefits:

• Jobseeker's Allowance;
• Housing Benefit;
• Universal Credit;
• Pension Credit.

Utlita

Utlita also provides grants to vulnerable customers to settle energy debts, but only for traditional credit meter customers.

EDF Energy

The EDF consumer support fund offers grants to assist vulnerable customers with energy debts.

To apply, visit the Let's Talk website, where you need to provide your EDF account number, current debt balance, and information about your finances.

You also need to obtain independent debt advice before submitting your application.

4 ways to reduce energy bills

Laura Court-Jones, small business editor at Bionic, shared her tips.

• 1. Lower the heating temperature by one degreeThis small change can significantly reduce energy costs, saving about £171.70.
• 2. Turn off appliances and lightingThis simple yet effective tip can help save up to £20 a year.
• 3. Install a smart meterThis allows you to monitor energy usage with a visual display of consumption.
• 4. Consider switching energy supplierYour current supplier may not offer the best rates, so it's worth exploring alternative options.

The work of the British Gas fund and other energy suppliers is an important initiative that can significantly alleviate the financial burden for many households, especially in the face of rising energy prices. It is crucial for customers to be aware of the available programs and conditions that meet their needs to take advantage of these opportunities in difficult times.